Kelsang Gyatso Quotes

41 Sourced Quotes

In general, 'Buddha' means 'Awakened One', someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions. There are many people who have become Buddhas in the past, and many people will become Buddhas in the future.

Kelsang Gyatso
When we look at external things, we can usually distinguish those that are useful and valuable from those that are not. We must learn to look at our mind in the same way.

Kelsang Gyatso
Since inner peace is the source of all happiness, we can see how important meditation is.

Kelsang Gyatso
We are all interconnected in a web of kindness from which it is impossible to separate ourself.

Kelsang Gyatso
There is no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on Emptiness.

Kelsang Gyatso
Whenever we see anyone in a high or low position, male or female, they differ only in appearance, dress, behavior, and status. In essence they are all equal--they all experience problems in their lives.

Kelsang Gyatso
If we want to cook food we need to leave the stove on continuously and not keep turning it on and off. If the heat is continuous, no matter whether it is high or low our food will eventually be cooked. Similarly, if we continuously apply effort, even if it is only a small effort, it is certain that we shall eventually experience the fruits of our practice.

Kelsang Gyatso
By meditating on affectionate love and wishing love for just one moment we accumulate greater merit than we would by giving food three times every day to all those who are hungry in the world.

Kelsang Gyatso
The great Tibetan meditator Gungtang Jampelyang once asked
'What is the difference between a wise man and a fool?'
The difference lies in their intention. A wise person is someone who has a good intention, not someone who merely possesses knowledge.

Kelsang Gyatso
Love is the great protector, protecting us from anger and jealousy.

Kelsang Gyatso
The more we control our mind, the more our inner peace increases and the happier we become

Kelsang Gyatso
A practice that is suitable for one person is not necessarily suitable for someone else, and a practice that is appropriate for one person at one time is not necessarily appropriate for that same person at another time. Buddha did not expect us to put all his teachings into practice right away--they are intended for a great variety of practitioners of different levels and dispositions.

Kelsang Gyatso
The more we want certain situations, the more we find ourself stuck in situations we do not want.

Kelsang Gyatso
Everything we now enjoy has been provided through the kindness of other beings, past or present.

Kelsang Gyatso
We know that we are happy when our mind is peaceful, and unhappy when it is not. It is therefore clear that our happiness depends upon our having a peaceful mind and not on good external conditions. Even if our external conditions are poor, if we maintain a peaceful mind all the time we shall always be happy.

Kelsang Gyatso
The cause of happiness and the solution to our problems do not lie in knowledge of material things. Happiness and suffering are states of mind, and so their main causes cannot be found outside the mind. If we want to be truly happy and free from suffering, we must learn how to control our mind.

Kelsang Gyatso
Just as eagles soar through the vast expanse of the sky without meeting any obstructions, needing only minimal effort to maintain their flight, so advanced meditators concentrating on emptiness can meditate on emptiness for a long time with little effort. Their minds soar through space-like emptiness, undistracted by any other phenomenon. When we meditate on emptiness we should try to emulate these meditators.

Kelsang Gyatso
In recent years our knowledge of modern technology has increased considerably, and as a result we have witnessed remarkable material progress, but there has not been a corresponding increase in human happiness. There is no less suffering in the world today, and there are no fewer problems. Indeed, it might be said that there are now more problems and greater dangers than ever before.

Kelsang Gyatso
When a fully qualified Mahayana disciple relies completely upon a fully qualified Mahayana Spiritual Guide the attainment of enlightenment is easy.

Kelsang Gyatso
Pure happiness can only be attained through developing our mind.

Kelsang Gyatso
Right now we have obtained a human rebirth and have the opportunity to attain enlightenment through Dharma practice, so if we waste this precious opportunity in meaningless activities there is no greater loss and no greater foolishness.

Kelsang Gyatso
Today we can see many different forms of Buddhism, such as Zen and Theravada Buddhism. All these different aspects are practices of Buddha's teachings, and all are equally precious; they are just different presentations.

Kelsang Gyatso
The moment we let go of our obsessive concern for our own welfare, our mind naturally relaxes and becomes lighter.

Kelsang Gyatso
Learning to cherish others is the best solution to our daily problems, and it is the source of all our future happiness and good fortune.

Kelsang Gyatso
We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds.

Kelsang Gyatso
The path to enlightenment is really very simple - all we need to do is stop cherishing ourself and learn to cherish others. All other spiritual realisations will naturally follow from this.

Kelsang Gyatso
All the happiness there is in the world arises from wishing others to be happy.

Kelsang Gyatso
We should understand that our problems do not exist outside of ourself, but are part of our mind that experiences unpleasant feelings.

Kelsang Gyatso
Happiness and suffering are states of mind and so their main causes are not to be found outside the mind.

Kelsang Gyatso
Buddha's teachings are scientific methods to solve the problems of all living beings permanently.

Kelsang Gyatso